The Ford Mustang has long been celebrated for its performance and iconic styling, but new real-world testing shows the legendary pony car is also delivering impressive efficiency. According to the Australian Automobile Association’s (AAA) Real-World Testing Program, the latest Ford Mustang lineup actually outperformed its official fuel economy ratings when tested under real driving conditions.

AAA’s testing program evaluates vehicles in everyday driving scenarios to see how their real-world fuel consumption compares with official laboratory ratings. In its most recent round of testing, the organization evaluated 141 different vehicles, and the results were surprising. A significant 76 percent of those vehicles consumed more fuel than their official ratings suggested. However, the Ford Mustang stood out as one of the few models that exceeded expectations.

The Ford Mustang EcoBoost performed particularly well, recording 8.8 liters per 100 kilometers during real-world testing. That result is about six percent better than its official rating of 9.4 L/100 km, demonstrating that the turbocharged four-cylinder engine can deliver both performance and efficiency in everyday driving conditions.

Even more impressive was the Ford Mustang GT. The V8-powered model recorded 10.7 L/100 km in AAA’s real-world testing, dramatically outperforming its official laboratory rating of 13.6 L/100 km. That represents a 22 percent improvement, making it one of the biggest positive surprises in the entire test group.

These results are particularly notable because most internal combustion vehicles tested actually used more fuel than advertised. Eight out of ten gasoline and diesel vehicles in the program consumed more fuel on the road than their lab ratings suggested. Meanwhile, all electric vehicles tested in the program failed to meet their official range estimates.

For Mustang enthusiasts, the findings reinforce that the latest generation of Ford’s iconic sports car delivers a strong balance of power, efficiency, and everyday usability. Whether equipped with the efficient EcoBoost engine or the thrilling V8 in the Mustang GT, the Mustang lineup continues to prove that performance and practicality can go hand in hand.